Forging Ahead: North County Non-Profits Serving Immigrant Communities Konane M. Martinez, Ph.D Health Projects coordinator

NLRC’s Mission To conduct research and activate resource networks at the university, community, local, state, and national levels to improve outcomes for underrepresented populations. Specializing in applied research, training, technical assistance and research-based services that contribute to the knowledge and understanding of rapidly growing U.S. Latinos, the NLRC seeks to promote research and instructional efforts that engage contemporary issues and aim to reduce disparities.

Areas of Research  The NLRC contributes to three areas of research, service, and teaching in the fields of education, health, civic engagement, and community development. The goal in each performance area is to achieve the following: 1.RESEARCH: Conduct culturally relevant applied and scientifically focused research in the Center’s specialty areas with the goal of contributing to policy and advocacy. 2.SERVICE: Develop and sustain community-university partnerships to address issues and concerns. 3.TEACHING: Teach scholarly information of critical importance to researchers, students, and community-based advocates to enhance dissemination of curriculum related to Latino populations. NLRC activities support and advance goals embodied in the university mission statement and strategic priorities.

Farmworker CARE Coalition  Coordination/Communication,  Advocacy/Access,  Research/Resources,  Empowerment/Education  Mission To recognize farmworkers as a vibrant part of the community and to improve their living, working and health conditions, and access to health, social and educational services through empowerment, advocacy and coordinated efforts.

Poder Popular- Three Impact Areas To influence and Change  Population Health Occupational Safety and Health Behavioral Health  Systems Change Worker/Employer Relationships Responsive Public Policy—local, state and national  Community Health Housing and Community Infrastructure Civic Engagement and Empowerment Cultural Social and Economic Resources

Mission Park Partnership Located in the city of Escondido the Mission Park area is an economically distressed community of approximately 16,000 people. It is challenged by consistently low standing in the areas of education, employment, household earnings, and housing conditions.

Challenges facing Non-Profits in North County San Diego  Anti-immigrant sentiment  Policies and Laws  Impacting Services and Research  Lack of Political Will  Providing direct Services  Sustainability

Opportunities  Organizations are becoming more networked  Community-Agency Partnerships are becoming key to improving overall well being of immigrant communities

Areas of Impact and Opportunities for Philanthropy  Education GED Access to Materials Parent Education  Health Community Organizing-Promotoras  Civic Participation Impact at City and Regional Levels  Leadership Grassroots Empowerment of Community members

NLRC at Cal State San Marcos National Latino Research Center 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road San Marcos, CA